...................of any party, any age, any level of government.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I know you are very busy. Fundraising, meeting with lobbyists, campaigning for the election two years away, skipping votes on issues that don't help you politically...I am sure your schedule is jam-packed.
But, while you are relaxing at a taxpayer-funded conference, or riding in the back of a town car on the way to a speech for well-heeled contributors, I'd humbly ask that you consider the following from a simple citizen:
1) Do what is best for a group larger than the one you pander to while trying to keep your office.
2) Do what is best for the long-term health of our society. By definition, long-term is farther in the future than the next financial quarter or election cycle.
3) Realize that when the earth's environment collapses through misuse and exploitation the resort you love in the South Pacific will be underwater.
4) Contemplate what your children's children will say when they try to remember what you did that had lasting positive effects on their lives.
5) Understand that the future is built on the present. What you do, or don't do today, has costs. Will you be able to feel comfortable with what you did to make that future a better version of the present?
6) Realize it is not too late to stop our selfish road to destruction, if you will take a stand based on what is best for all, even if it means your political life might end. Is that a worse fate than the actual lives of millions of people depending on you to know the difference?
7) A politician who is honest, ethical, forward-thinking, and part of the solution is maybe not as rare as we have been led to believe. If this description fits you, please stand firm against the draw of the swamp. Our community, our country, our world is in your hands. Hold it well.
I may be retired, but I have children and grandchildren who must live in the world you help shape.
Well said. Couldn’t agree more but not too hopeful. Washington is full of self-interesred creeps who long ago sold their souls.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bob! This is exactly how I feel. A similar letter could also be written and go out to all the "well heeled" CEOs and business leaders.
ReplyDeleteKelli took the words right from my finger tips. Good points. I might add- one rich person has the same number of votes as a poor person. Where you spend your money, time and energy counts. Voting is everything in our country.
DeleteI deleted a hate filled rant my someone who chose to remain anonymous. This post is not prompted only by our current crop of Washington "leaders," but those in power for the last several decades, as well as state politicians who let us down rather continuously.
ReplyDeleteA comment that calls others idiots and denigrates an entire class of humans will not be allowed to stand. If that person had read the opening sentence he or she would have realized these words are not directed at only one person or one party. There is enough failures to go around.
I have no problem if you disagree with my basic premise that some politicians are failing us. But, do so in a respectful manner and cite examples of ways that person or group has actually made the world safer, healthier, and takes a long term view for what'
s best for the world rather than consumed by the next election cycle.
Very funny Bob. I didn't write it. Tucker Carlson did. So, you're calling Tucker Carlson someone who writes hate filled rants? I copied it right out of his new book, Ship of Fools, a NY Times #1 Bestseller. He has each and every one of you perfectly pegged.
DeleteThen, your "thoughts" aren't your own and are plagiarized. Yet, another reason to delete.
DeleteWhat's amusing to me is that I'm fairly sure we all know who said anon poster is, and yet she still refuses to sign her name. I agree with the other posters. Most politicians are failing us, not just one party. But Janette also has hit it on the head. Barely more than half of registered voters bothered to hit the polls in the last presidential election. Never mind the ones who are unregistered. Responsibility also falls on those "I hate em both so I'm staying way from the polls" types as well as the "They're gonna do what they're gonna do, so why vote" people. voting is the biggest thing you can do.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite disappointing that the percentage of active voters is so low. There is no excuse. That said, the type of people running and desperately clinging to office is also quite disappointing. You would think we'd attract a better quality of "public servant."
DeleteVoting is the one area I think we can really make a difference, especially at an individual level. Everyone who does vote can make an effort to get at least one other person to vote, make sure people get to the polls, help with registration (obtaining documents, etc.) and so forth. While turnout was still not as high as it should be, get out the vote efforts did make a difference in this past election, and I think it can be improved, especially if those of us who are regular voters make the effort to engage at least one previous non-voter (or more). Other than mandatory voting (which I concede most Americans would hate), I'm not sure what else we can do other than make a personal commitment to get more people to the polls.
DeleteI was heartened to see so many new candidates, especially women, running for office this last year. I read to today that around 70% of the incoming House of Representatives are new members (I hope I got that right) - we'll see if they make a difference.
I have to share this, Bob. It is spot on. We need term limits in Congress, not just for presidents. I'm beginning to feel a tiny bit hopeful that things are changing for the better but, it has been mind boggling when you think about all of the 'sane' policies that have been ruined in such a short time. We really need to act quickly. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteb
Share away, Barbara.
DeleteCould not agree more, Bob. It's terrifying to see what is happening in this country. And I live in Michigan, where the lame duck legislature is attempting a power grab to weaken the incoming (Democratic) governor and AG, as well as several other tricks with voter approved ballot measures. It's so disheartening.
ReplyDeleteAnd you are right...all we can do is vote. I have a 40 yo nephew who proudly posted that he doesn't vote because it makes no difference. Yet he studies environmental science and complains about things happening that are damaging the environment. Not sure how you can even get through to someone like that.
Oh, and I think we all know who your anon poster is. She uses the phrase "each and every one" a lot - besides loving to vent on other people's blogs. haha
DeleteYes, Cindi, is pretty well known.
DeleteI agree with your comments and only wish voting helped but we just seem to get one self centered narcissist after another, no matter the party. The environment is the most frightening, not so much for us but our children and grandchildren. The capability to build a much more energy efficient car exists but somehow everyone is back driving giant SUVS again? Ugh. I agree with the poster who mentioned the CEO’s and hedge fund types. Eventually, they will grab so much of the profits for themselves that there will be no one with enough money to buy their products. Watch the documentary “Inequality for All” for more on that topic.
ReplyDeleteHow do we improve the quality and integrity of those running for office? Obviously, serving the public is no longer the motivation for most.
DeleteThis discussion makes me feel lucky to live and vote in Maine. I don't know why, but the spirit of Margaret Chase Smith, who dared to stand up to Joseph McCarthy, is still alive in Maine. We have been especially lucky in our Senators, who have included Ed Muskie, George Mitchell, and William Cohen. Currently, we are represented in the Senate by Susan Collins (R) and Angus King (Independent, but caucuses with Democrats). I don't always agree with them, but they are both people of integrity who take the broad view and the long view. It probably helps that Maine is a "purple" state with a large number of voters who are not enrolled in either major party. In order for a politician to win, they have to appeal to these voters in the middle. I also have high hopes for our newly adopted system of Rank Choice Voting, which means that a candidate must get the support of a majority of voters (not just a plurality) in order to win. In this system, playing to an extreme base is not a winning strategy.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comment, Jean. I have appreciated Senator Collins' stance on several important issues. While I have disagreed with some of her choices, I have always felt she was doing what she thought best for her constituents, not for herself.
DeleteThe Rank Choice Voting sounds like an important step back toward sanity.
I wish we had more states with large numbers not enrolled in either party. Our biggest problem is that the parties cannot work together. Each party has something to offer and I think some well-intentioned moderate legislators, but neither has all the answers, and they haven't figured out how to put it together. The far-left and far-right keep getting in the way.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid compromise and bipartisanship are seen as signs of weakness. They should be seen as strengths...willing to work for the better, bigger good.
DeleteChuckle, chuckle, Cindi is very obvious whenever she writes as Anonymous. She has just now posted about no longer reading toxic blogs that don't allow one to comment in disagreement, yet she refuses to publish ANY comment on her blog that doesn't praise her to the high heavens. Her spots haven't changed over the years.
ReplyDeleteNope. At least she is consistent. And, I hope she keeps her promise to stop reading blogs she dislikes.
Delete